Florida State University and Apalachee Center announced on March 19 a new partnership aimed at improving mental health care in Florida, with a focus on the Northwest region.
The agreement brings together Apalachee Center’s more than 80 years of experience serving individuals with mental illness and substance use disorder and Florida State University’s long-standing academic and research background. The collaboration is intended to complement FSU Health’s ongoing efforts to expand access to quality care across the state.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, both organizations will work together on large-scale research projects. They plan to leverage Apalachee Center’s position as the largest provider of mental health care in the region along with FSU’s expertise in behavioral health research. The goal is to deepen understanding of mental illness and behavioral health challenges while developing more effective treatments.
The partnership includes joint research initiatives, secure sharing of information to better understand community needs, and development of programs that combine academic knowledge with community-based care. Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the FSU College of Medicine, said, “Without question, the people of Florida will benefit from this partnership through the development of effective and innovative mental health services that improve lives. Working together, we will build upon the positive impact of FSU Health to create healthy, resilient communities.”
FSU researchers involved in behavioral health span several university units including the College of Medicine, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Social Work. The partnership will support new initiatives in Leon and Bay counties as well as other areas across Florida to increase access to high-quality mental health services.
Dr. Jay Reeve, President and CEO of Apalachee Center, said, “This strategic endeavor will use de-identified anonymous data to study behavioral health trends and outcomes. For decades, behavioral health clinicians and researchers everywhere have been focused on ensuring that behavioral health treatments have replicable, positive outcomes that follow the science. This partnership is a crucial step in that direction for university researchers, providers and most importantly the residents of North Florida who rely on access to quality behavioral healthcare.”
The collaboration reflects an ongoing effort by both institutions to address growing mental health needs throughout Florida.
